AI search startup Perplexity is pushing boundaries in its bid to challenge Google, not only in search but also in browsing. After a bold $34.5 billion offer to acquire Chrome, the company is now drawing attention with its own AI-powered web browser, Comet — and early users say it could be a glimpse into the future of the internet.

Built on Chromium, the same open-source platform behind Chrome, Edge, and Opera, Comet offers a familiar browsing experience but swaps Google’s search dominance for Perplexity’s AI-driven answer engine. The result is a browser designed to do more than display websites — it actively helps users interpret, summarize, and act on information in real time.

What Comet Can Do

Unlike Chrome, Comet integrates AI deeply into its core functions:

- Smart Queries: Questions typed into the address bar generate AI-powered summaries with linked sources.

- On-Screen Assistance: Users can highlight text or right-click for instant summaries and explanations.

- Video & Article Summaries: Comet’s assistant can summarize YouTube videos or long articles, complete with follow-up Q&A.

- Agentic Features: The browser can perform actions like analyzing gaming decks and even adding items to shopping carts.

This integration means users don’t need to switch between tabs or manually feed context to an AI assistant — the browser already understands what’s on-screen.

Where It Falls Short

Despite its promise, Comet isn’t flawless. In tests, the browser sometimes struggled with up-to-date search results, often surfacing explanatory pieces instead of the latest news. Its agentic features, while impressive, also lacked consistency — such as failing to complete shopping tasks or producing mismatched hotel recommendations.

For comparison, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Agent can perform similar research tasks but often takes much longer, while Comet aims to deliver results in seconds. However, that speed sometimes comes at the cost of accuracy.

Early Days, Big Potential

Currently available only to Perplexity Max users, Comet is still in its early stages and expected to receive major updates. Yet even in its current form, it demonstrates how AI could transform everyday browsing by shifting from searching for information to taking action on behalf of users.

Industry watchers believe Google will be forced to accelerate its own AI browsing features to maintain dominance. If Comet continues to improve, Perplexity may not need to buy Chrome at all — it may just build the browser that redefines how we experience the web.